Patriots Next Coach? Betting Odds (Also) Point To Mike Vrabel

It’s becoming increasingly clear that just about everyone believes Mike Vrabel is about to become the newest head coach of the Patriots.

The former Tennessee Titans coach was among of handful of coaches to interview for the vacancy. It sounds like that process could soon be wrapping up, and the consensus remains the same: Vrabel, a Patriots Hall of Famer from his playing days, is the clear favorite to return home to lead the Pats.

Even the betting markets say as much. BetOnline currently has Vrabel as an overwhelming -400 favorite to land the gig. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who was set to interview Friday morning is second by a considerable margin (+400), and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (+600) is in the mix.

On this week’s episode of “The Spread,” NESN’s football and sports betting picks podcast, NESN.com’s Mike Cole and Ricky Doyle broke down the market, unsurprised by Vrabel’s status as favorite, even if it’s not the best move the Patriots could make. However, could the Patriots afford to go with another unproven head coach (like Johnson) after how bad Jerod Mayo flamed out in his one and only season on the sidelines in Foxboro?

“(The Patriots need to say) ‘We need somebody who we have confidence in just stabilizing this thing for a couple of years,'” Doyle said on this week’s episode. ” … I understand some people wanting to go with Ben Johnson or someone with that offensive ingenuity to be able to work with Drake Maye, but I think they’re at a point where they have to work on the culture first and hope you hire the next Ben Johnson as your offensive coordinator or whatever it may be.

Cole added: “Even if Mike Vrabel’s not as good as people think he is, getting it back to level ground for a few seasons before you can really take off is imperative. … These hot-shot offensive assistants have a meh track record of success. For every Sean McVay, there’s an Arthur Smith. … I don’t know if Vrabel is the best option they have or has the highest ceiling, but he’s the most necessary option they can go to.”

Hear more from Mike and Ricky, including their picks for this week’s NFL wild-card playoffs round in the podcast below, and be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Spotify to hear their takes every week.